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Forum Index : Solar : Solar hot water question
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Darreninyandina Newbie  Joined: 24/08/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 2 |
Hi I'm a new member but have been learning a lot from the posts for some time now. My question is has any one here had any thing to do with Chromagen solar hot water systems? I have a quotation from the hot water guys for a thermosyphon system and it seems too good to be true. I have been looking on the net and can see only one bad report on them and that seems to be because the system was installed facing in the wrong direction and could get no sunlight. Any help would be Appreciated. I make lots of mistakes some of them I really enjoy. |
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MacGyver Guru  Joined: 12/05/2009 Location: United StatesPosts: 1329 |
Darreninyandina I've never heard of them, but any company that sets their product facing the wrong direction sounds to me like the perfect company to stay far away from. That information alone should be enough to keep you looking for someone else, no matter how good the "deal" is in your quote! . . . . . Mac Nothing difficult is ever easy! Perhaps better stated in the words of Morgan Freeman, "Where there is no struggle, there is no progress!" Copeville, Texas |
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| Darreninyandina Newbie Joined: 24/08/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 2 |
Thanks for your input Mac but I think the problem I spoke of is more due to the plumber taking the easy way out, like a lot of tradesman do today. There are a scary number of problems listed for Dux heat pumps and solar hot water units on the net. It looks to me like Dux are not real interested in making good on the problems. I have a price for a Dux to and they are far Higher in price. I'm living in an old farm house and in the end I may just build a chip heater out of an old gas hot water system and use an old electric hot water system or 2 for storage over night. I make lots of mistakes some of them I really enjoy. |
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Glenn Newbie Joined: 14/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 29 |
Hi, not posted on here before but a similar Qn. I got a brochure in the mail for a Chromagen Solar Hot water system, fully installed for $999 (after rebates) Their system is 2 panels, a 200 litre storage cyclinder and a 20 litre gas booster. Does this sound too good to be true and is a system like that ok for a 2-3 person household. Panels would on a roof facing about 5 degrees east of north glenn Melbourne VK3PE |
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| viatu3 Newbie Joined: 29/11/2011 Location: United StatesPosts: 5 |
For me the offer sounds reasonable! It's not that expensive and you get a nice solar hot water system, but I wonder where the problem is? There must be some mistake ;) Where did you get this brochure. Is there any information available online? Could you probably provide some links? I'm interested to get more into this topic! |
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| Glenn Newbie Joined: 14/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 29 |
Hi, The Co. is Solar Smart, phn 1300 935 504. The brochure came in the mail as a general mail out , "Limited Offer" $999 (with a little 'from') I called them up and they are coming to qive me a site quote today actually. System is a chromagen 200L tank and 20L gas booster with 2 panels and to replace a ELECTRIC system. For Melbourne metro only, must be installed by 19/12/11 will keep you posted. glenn VK3PE |
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| Glenn Newbie Joined: 14/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 29 |
Solar smart URL:- getsolarsmart.com.au Glenn VK3PE |
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| BjBlaster Regular Member  Joined: 04/04/2008 Location: AustraliaPosts: 55 |
Don't forget we have our solar facing north over this side of the world Mac ;) Check out my projects here in: Bj's Shed |
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| MacGyver Guru Joined: 12/05/2009 Location: United StatesPosts: 1329 |
[Quote=BjBlaster]Don't forget we have our solar facing north over this side of the world Mac ;) Yes, I know that and you know that. The problem here is apparently the solar installers haven't been informed as yet! . . . . . Mac Nothing difficult is ever easy! Perhaps better stated in the words of Morgan Freeman, "Where there is no struggle, there is no progress!" Copeville, Texas |
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| Glenn Newbie Joined: 14/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 29 |
Update: Now have a Chromagen solar system installed (Jan 2012) a few problems in install, unit replaced a electric storage mounted in the wall and they had to fit a metal cover over it. But didn't have the right size so took abnother mth for that to be fixed. In last 2 weeks, some joins at the tank were leaking and the house fuse blew. Pump had to be replaced and joints were fixed. It's hard to be exact but it seems that I am saving about $50-70 per month in electricity bills with very little gas being used for the booster (it's summer though now) Today, i fitted an LM35 temperature detector onto the top of the tank (outlet pipe) and temp. there is around 40-70c. You can see it changing as the pump kicks in. I ran a cable down into the house with a meter to show the temperature. Its 27c outside by the way. So, some niggles, but it appears all will be well. Cost was $1350 installed. I opted to have a 300L tank rather than standard 200L also, so it cost a little more than than original quote. Plus had to have a ELD fitted also. glenn VK3PE |
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